YK Poudel
Major agencies in Bhutan have pledged their support for youth entrepreneurs in the agrifood sector to drive economic growth. This commitment was made during the National Youth Symposium which ended on August 13.
Over 200 youth from across the country, both in-person and online, and representatives from MoAL, FAO, UNICEF Bhutan, and UN Conventions on the Rights of the Child participated in the event.
MoAL Secretary Thinley Namgyel pointed out several challenges confronting the agriculture sector, including small population, market issues, and environmental factors such as unpredictable weather, and human-wildlife conflicts, which cause annual losses of 30 to 40 percent.
“The easy access to relatively cheaper goods and cost of production in Bhutan further exacerbates the challenges,” he said.
To enhance the agriculture sector’s contribution to the GDP, the ministry plans to prioritise high-tech farming in the 13th Plan. This includes the introduction of advanced chirub farms aimed at enhancing production and efficiency. “Engaging youth from an early stage ensures capacity building across the value chain, fostering ownership and commitment,” the secretary said.
The government is exploring new export markets in various countries for agriculture products.
The government has allocated Nu 10 million annually to support new startups on a cost-sharing basis and has earmarked Nu two billion from the economic stimulus plan and local government grants for youth initiatives in gewogs.
The 13th Plan prioritises commercial production of high-value organic commodities, such as asparagus, broccoli, and strawberries, as well as new livestock products. In addition, there are also plans to produce new high-value livestock commodities, including rainbow trout, sturgeon caviar, yak cheese and fiber, putka and comba honey, yagyu cheese, and royal jelly.
The government has allocated Nu 10.23 billion for the renewable natural resources sector for the financial year 2024-25. This constitutes 10 percent of the ministry’s overall budget outlay.
Over the next five years, the government aims to boost the agriculture sector’s contribution to GDP by Nu 50 billion and achieve exports valued at Nu six billion.
Around eight percent or 277,000 acres of land are arable in Bhutan. Only a fraction of this, roughly 23 percent, is currently under cultivation.
FAO Representative Ken Shimizu said the launch of the local chapter of the World Food Forum in Bhutan marked the beginning of several new initiatives. “In Bhutan, several initiatives such as the Hand-In-Hand initiative, digital village, and One Country one Product initiatives are being carried out,” he said. “Furthermore, various Trust Fund supported projects are untapped, these areas can be looked into.”
The vice chair of UN CRC and the director general of SAIEVAC, Rinchen Chophel (PhD), emphasised the importance of integrating youth perspectives in agrifood initiatives. “It’s crucial to listen to what the youth need and ensure that initiatives are designed with their interests in mind.”
The government also aims to increase the agrifood sector’s growth by 8.3 percent in the 13th Plan, focusing on high-tech farming and expanding large-scale commercial farming.
Agrifood growth activities will be carried out through a partnership model with Bhutan Livestock Development Corporation, Farm Machinery Corporation Limited, Food Corporation of Bhutan Limited, youth groups and the private sector.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) organised the Symposium in collaboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Bhutan.